China Tibet Online, the government website for Tibet, recently published a commentary on the Dalai Lama’s announcement that he would retire. It mocked the retirement as a “political show.” The lengthy article made three main points: (1) His decision to “retire as a political leader” proves that Dalai Lama is a separatist instead of a pure religious icon; (2) His arrangements to retire are to prepare for the transfer of power – in case the Dalai Lama loses the ability to remain in charge; (3) The Dalai Lama may not be able to truly retire because a large number of “independent followers” may lose unity, courage, and direction. The commentary also quoted the Dalai Lama’s estimate of his own life span of 113 years and concluded with the belief that the “show” may not be over yet.
Source: China Tibet Online, April 1, 2011
http://www.tibet.cn/news/index/ydzl/201104/t20110401_980413.htm